Province calls for review of standards

Ministry’s request to Ontario College of Teachers follows controversy around Halton teacher

Education Minister Stephen Lecce has asked the Ontario College of Teachers to review and “consider strengthening” professional standards in light of the controversy over a trans high school teacher in Oakville who wears oversized prosthetic breasts with protruding nipples.

The Halton board is now also conducting a review of its dress code.

The situation at Oakville Trafalgar High School has garnered international headlines, sparking protests outside of the school and even a bomb threat after photos of the shop teacher in tight tops appeared online and went viral just over a week ago.

Halton police have been stationed at the school and will remain there for as long as is needed in order to “ensure public safety,” said a police spokesperson on Monday, adding that officers are investigating alleged threats made toward school staff. So far, there have been no arrests in connection with the alleged threats or protests.

On Friday, Lecce wrote to the college of teachers, the oversight body for the profession, asking for a review.

“In this province, in our schools, we celebrate our differences,” he told reporters at Queen’s Park. “We also believe there must be the highest standards of professionalism for our kids, and on that basis, I’ve asked the Ontario College of Teachers to review and to consider strengthening those provisions with respect to professional conduct, which we think would be in the interest of all kids in Ontario.”

College spokesperson Gabrielle Barkany said in a statement to the Star that “we have received the minister’s request and our response will be shared with him when it is ready.”

Barkany would not provide any details of the review.

Sources, however, say the review could include some sort of standard dress code — which for students in Halton bans any clothing that leaves nipples visible — or a tightening of ethical standards which currently state teachers must “uphold the honour and dignity of the teaching profession.”

Under professional misconduct regulations for teachers, there is nothing specific about dress codes. However, teachers must “maintain the standards of the profession,” and not act in a manner that is “dishonourable or unprofessional.”

They can also be found guilty of professional misconduct for “conduct unbecoming a member.”

The Halton District School Board would not comment specifically about Lecce’s request, but education director Curtis Ennis said the board “continues to handle this matter in a way that stays true to our values and commitment to human rights, respects the privacy and dignity of our students and staff, and with the safety and well-being of students and staff as our highest priority.”

In an email to the Star, Ennis said “as staff, we are guided by numerous legislation and also fundamentally by the privacy and confidentiality of each of our employees. While I understand the desire for information by the public, we will not and cannot publicly discuss any matter that identifies our staff directly or indirectly. I trust the public will understand the parameters that guide us.”

At a Sept. 21 board meeting, Trustee Tracey Ehl Harrison spoke about the widespread attention this matter has received from Halton and beyond, adding she reads “each and every email.”

She said that in her role, “it is important to hear and try and understand what people are asking,” which is why she introduced a motion calling on the director to return to the board by the end of November with “a report addressing the various considerations regarding dress codes.” The motion passed unanimously.

Halton’s student dress code stipulates “dress codes must prevent students from wearing clothing that exposes or makes visible genitals and nipples.”